In this episode, we delve into recent developments in public records and information access. A federal court scrutinized the Department of Justice's search for archived and deleted emails in a FOIA case, requiring further verification by 2026. The Ninth Circuit finalized a ruling that EEO-1 reports from federal contractors are not protected under FOIA's Exemption 4, impacting workforce composition data disclosure. North Dakota's Attorney General clarified that agencies aren't obligated to recreate missing records, as seen in a school district's compliance with open records laws. In Tennessee, a court rejected broad Exemption 4 claims by the Tennessee Valley Authority regarding a gas pipeline project, emphasizing the need for specific justifications. Meanwhile, Washington state grapples with AI and surveillance data challenges, prompting updates to public records management practices and potential legislative action.

📚 Sources:

• https://www.foiaadvisor.com/foia-blog/2026/1/12/court-opinion-issued-jan-9-2026
• https://www.foiaadvisor.com/foia-blog/2026/1/14/foia-news-litigation-over-eeo-1-reports-continues
• https://www.kvrr.com/2026/01/15/nd-attorney-general-issues-opinion-on-open-records-request-of-williston-school-district/
• https://www.foiaadvisor.com/foia-blog/2026/1/15/court-opinions-issued-jan-12-2026
• https://mrsc.org/stay-informed/mrsc-insight/january-2026/pra-2025

This week on Records Brief, we explore recent developments in public records access across the United States. In Iowa, a judge has allowed an open-records lawsuit against the City of Davenport to proceed, addressing alleged delays in releasing a letter about a former city administrator. In Kansas, a new law has led to the denial of a media request for emails related to a potential Kansas City Chiefs stadium deal, keeping such records confidential until 2029. Finally, in Michigan, the Court of Appeals ruled that the state's FOIA law does not impose specific deadlines for fulfilling records requests, rejecting the ACLU's proposed timelines.

Records Brief is a curated weekly overview of public reporting and developments related to law enforcement video, audio, and public records release. Items are selected for relevance and operational impact and are summarized from publicly available sources.

Produced by CaseGuard, Inc. as a public-sector resource.

Content is informational and does not constitute legal advice or official guidance.

Records Brief is a curated weekly overview of public reporting and developments related to law enforcement video, audio, and public records release. Items are selected for relevance and operational impact and are summarized from publicly available sources. Produced by CaseGuard, Inc. as a public-sector resource. Content is informational and does not constitute legal advice or official guidance.

Article Links:
City of Davenport, Iowa: https://www.ourquadcities.com/news/local-news/judge-rules-against-defendants-in-open-records-lawsuit-filed-against-city-of-davenport/
Kansas City, Kansas: https://www.kmbc.com/article/kansas-city-chiefs-relocation-to-kansas-wyandotte-county-emails/69950090
City of Grand Rapids, Michigan: https://www.clarkhill.com/news-events/news/michigan-court-of-appeals-holds-no-definitive-timeline-for-fulfilling-foia-requests/

Records Brief offers a concise weekly overview of public records disputes and developments across the nation. This week, we explore how agencies are navigating transparency challenges, from withheld use-of-force footage to lawsuits over delayed records.

In Santa Clara County, officials face criticism for not releasing Taser footage from jails, citing privacy and ongoing investigations. Despite promises of transparency, public access remains restricted, raising concerns among civil rights advocates.

In Ohio, the Reproductive Rights Law Initiative and ACLU have sued the Ohio Department of Health for allegedly delaying public records related to the Toledo Women’s Center's abortion services. The lawsuit claims the department's actions violate Ohio’s Public Records Act.

In Michigan, journalist Charlie LeDuff has filed a lawsuit against Attorney General Dana Nessel, accusing the state of delaying FOIA requests indefinitely. The case highlights concerns over "grant-and-delay" practices that hinder timely public access to information.

Produced by CaseGuard, Inc., Records Brief is a public-sector resource. Learn more at caseguard.com. Content is informational and not legal advice.

Records Brief is a curated weekly overview of public reporting and developments related to law enforcement video, audio, and public records release. Items are selected for relevance and operational impact and are summarized from publicly available sources.

Produced by CaseGuard, Inc. as a public-sector resource. Learn more at caseguard.com

Content is informational and does not constitute legal advice or official guidance.

In a recent decision, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled in State ex rel. Whitfield v. Burkhart that public-information officers cannot redirect public-records requests within institutions to avoid their duties. The court affirmed that inmate kites are public records and awarded statutory damages for delays, clarifying PIO responsibilities and strengthening inmates' access to public records.

The emergence of AI-generated police reports is raising transparency issues. Axon’s Draft One, integrated with body-worn cameras, faces scrutiny as initial drafts are erased, complicating accountability. King County in Washington banned AI-written reports, while Utah and California have introduced legislation to regulate AI use in police reports, reflecting growing resistance to AI in policing.

In Flagstaff, the City Council voted to terminate its contract with Flock Safety, ending the use of automated license plate readers. The decision was driven by privacy, surveillance, and public records concerns, following public opposition and legal uncertainties. The council remains open to reconsidering the technology if these issues are addressed.

Produced by CaseGuard, Inc. as a public-sector resource. Learn more at caseguard.com. Content is informational and does not constitute legal advice or official guidance.

Records Brief is a curated weekly overview of public reporting and developments related to law enforcement video, audio, and public records release. Items are selected for relevance and operational impact and are summarized from publicly available sources. Produced by CaseGuard, Inc. as a public-sector resource. Learn more at caseguard.com Content is informational and does not constitute legal advice or official guidance.

Records Brief is a curated weekly overview of public reporting and developments related to law enforcement video, audio, and public records release. Items are selected for relevance and operational impact and are summarized from publicly available sources.

This week, two developments highlight mounting pressure on public-sector records and compliance operations. In Oklahoma, the Department of Corrections is withholding body-camera footage, citing security concerns. This decision has drawn legal scrutiny and criticism from transparency advocates, raising questions about disclosure thresholds and accountability in public safety and in-custody incidents.

At the federal level, a whistleblower disclosure alleges that USCIS prematurely closed thousands of FOIA requests to create the appearance of court-ordered compliance. Internal records suggest cases were marked complete despite unresolved discrepancies, leaving requesters without critical information while reported backlog numbers dropped sharply.

Together, these cases underscore the growing risks of prioritizing optics and throughput over process integrity and public trust.

https://whistleblower.org/press/disclosure-reveals-uscis-closed-foia-requests-to-fake-court-compliance/

Produced by CaseGuard, Inc. as a public-sector resource. Learn more at caseguard.com

Content is informational and does not constitute legal advice or official guidance.

Records Brief is a curated weekly overview of public reporting and developments related to law enforcement video, audio, and public records release. Items are selected for relevance and operational impact and are summarized from publicly available sources.

Produced by CaseGuard, Inc. as a public-sector resource. Learn more at caseguard.com

Content is informational and does not constitute legal advice or official guidance.

📚 Sources:

• https://www.kgou.org/show/oklahoma-watch-long-story-short/2025-12-17/long-story-short-department-of-corrections-refuses-to-release-body-camera-footage